Dec 27, 2024 Story by: Editor
A historic North London community centre, Bridge Park Centre in Brent, faces the threat of demolition as part of a significant 1,000-home regeneration project. Campaigners are striving to safeguard the site, launching a public effort to have it recognized as a national heritage site due to its pivotal role in Black British history.
A Symbol of Black Empowerment
Bridge Park Centre officially opened in 1988 by King Charles III, then Prince Charles, and held the distinction of being the largest Black-led community enterprise in Europe until 1995. The Harlesden People’s Community Council (HPCC), the cooperative organization that spearheaded the project, is now leading efforts to have the centre added to the National Heritage List for England to prevent its demolition.
Delaney Brown, an HPCC member since its inception in 1981, emphasized the centre’s historical significance. “The case for preserving Bridge Park as a community-driven, Black-initiated movement is rooted in its unique historical and cultural significance, as well as its successful example of grassroots empowerment,” Brown told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
The centre, born out of the community’s determination following the Brixton Riots of the early 1980s, was a transformative project. It converted the Stonebridge Bus Garage into a multifunctional space that fostered Black excellence and self-empowerment.
“Bridge Park’s establishment was groundbreaking,” Brown added, “because it was entirely initiated by the local community, particularly a Black leadership led by the late Leonard Johnson. This bottom-up approach allowed the community to design a space tailored to their specific social, cultural, and economic needs.”
Community Hub and Its Legacy
Bridge Park became a cornerstone for social and economic development, housing sports and entertainment facilities, the borough’s first IT centre, start-up spaces for local businesses, and a 24-track recording studio. HPCC highlights its role in preventing racial unrest during the turbulent 1980s.
“Bridge Park was created to foster self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship, and community development,” Brown explained. “It demonstrated how grassroots initiatives could effectively address local challenges without reliance on top-down solutions that often fail to meet real needs.”
King Charles praised the project during its inception, calling it “one of the most important developments I have seen in this country for a long time” and “a remarkable example of a community getting together and being determined to create this kind of centre against impossible odds.”
Legal Challenges and Future Plans
Brent Council sold the site to a developer in 2017, prompting a legal battle by campaigners to challenge the sale. Despite losing the case in 2020 and subsequent appeals, the HPCC remains steadfast in its efforts to protect the site.
The council, in partnership with Stonebridge Real Estate Development Limited (SRED), plans to redevelop the area, which includes the derelict Unisys office complex. The £600 million project aims to deliver over 1,000 homes, a leisure centre, a hotel, and parks.
Council leader Cllr Muhammed Butt stated, “We understand the deep affection that local residents have for Bridge Park Community Centre. However, the current centre has reached the end of its usable life and is no longer fit for the future.” He added that modernizing the site would require unaffordable investments, and redevelopment would better serve the community’s needs.
Counter Arguments from Campaigners
HPCC disputes the council’s claims, arguing that retrofitting the existing structure would preserve its legacy while being more environmentally sustainable. “Demolishing Bridge Park erases a vital chapter in Black British history and undermines the community’s achievements,” Brown asserted.
Campaigners are calling for the centre to be listed, which would protect it under the National Heritage List for England. They cite examples like Brixton Market and Brixton Recreation Centre, both recognized for their historical significance to Black British history.
“Bridge Park is more than a building; it is a symbol of community-led progress, cultural pride, and economic empowerment,” Brown said. “Demolishing it risks erasing a vital part of the area’s cultural identity and alienating future generations who could benefit from this legacy.”
Next Steps
The ‘Save Bridge Park’ campaign will officially launch on January 23 at the Harrie Massey Lecture Theatre at University College London, with the community continuing to rally support to preserve the site and its legacy for future generations. Source: Yahoo News
